Ryanair orders 25 737 MAX 8 planes

The Boeing Company and Ryanair announced Tuesday they finalized an order for 25 additional high-capacity 737 MAX 8 airplanes. The $3 billion order, at current list prices, was previously listed as unidentified on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.

This order will bringing Ryanair's firm order to 135 737 MAX 8s. “The aircraft has eight more seats than our current 189-seat Boeing 737-800NG and incorporates the latest technology engines and winglets which reduce fuel consumption and noise emissions,” said Neil Sorahan, chief financial officer, Ryanair. “We look forward to taking delivery of our first aircraft in spring 2019."

Ryanair launched the high-capacity 737 MAX 8 in late 2014 with an order for 100 airplanes, followed by an additional order for 10 airplanes at the 2017 Paris Air Show. The airplane will provide Ryanair with 197 seats, increasing revenue potential and delivering up to 14 percent lower fuel consumption than today's Next-Generation 737s.

The Dublin, Ireland-based carrier is the largest 737-800 customer in the world and the largest Boeing operator in Europe. Last month, Ryanair took delivery of its 500th Next-Generation 737-800 and has now ordered more than 650 Boeing airplanes.

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest CFM International LEAP-1B engines, Advanced Technology winglets, Boeing Sky Interior, large flight deck displays and other features to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.

The 737 MAX is the fastest-selling airplane in Boeing history, accumulating almost 4,500 orders from 96 customers worldwide.

Ryanair orders five Boeing 737 planes

Boeing and Ryanair have finalized an order for five additional Next-Generation 737s, valued at $452 million at list prices. “Today's announcement brings the total number of unfilled Next-Generation 737 orders for the Ireland-based ultra-low-cost carrier to 180 airplanes,” Boeing said in a press statement on Wednesday.

"The 737-800 is the perfect airplane for us as we continue to expand our fleet," said Michael O'Leary, director and CEO of Ryanair.

The airline announced last year an order for 175 of the airplanes. Ryanair is the world's largest 737-800 customer, with orders placed for 528 of the type to date.

The Boeing 737-800 is the best-selling version of the highly successful Next-Generation 737 family, Boeing said.

"We are honored to be chosen by Ryanair as they expand their fleet and look forward to continuing our partnership for decades to come,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner.

Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, Ryanair operates more than 1,600 flights daily from 68 bases connecting 186 destinations in 30 countries. Currently operating more than 300 737-800s, Ryanair took delivery of its first in 1999, and now operates the largest fleet of Boeing airplanes in Europe. With a team of more than 9,000 highly skilled professionals the airline is expected to fly more than 81.5 million passengers this year alone.

“Today's announcement brings the total number of 737s ordered to date to more than 11,000,” Boeing said. “Boeing currently has more than 3,700 unfilled orders for 737s.”